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What kinds of spaces were included in the royal compound of the fon of Bafut?
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African architecture
The Great Zimbabwe complex, near Masvingo, south-central Zimbabwe.
The royal compound of the fon (chief) of Bafut, located in Cameroon, is a high fenced enclosure that contains a variety of specialized structures. Within this space, the following areas are included:
- Separate quarters for the older and younger wives
- Dormitories for the adolescent sons
- Houses for retainers
- Stores
- Meeting places
- A shrine house and a medicine house
- Burial structures for former chiefs
- Structures for secret societies1